Ten minutes ago I was sitting on the couch, reading and thoroughly enjoying one of the novellas in A NASCAR Holiday 2, by Pamela Britton, Gina Wilkins, Ken Casper, and Abby Gaines (HQN - November 2007).
Then it occured to me...there I was, reading a romance book, full of Christmas stories, about NASCAR.
I don`t have any interest in NASCAR--horse racing is the only racing I like. Romance stories without a bit of paranormal or suspense action tend to get on my nerves. And I can`t recall ever having read a Christmas-themed story before, unless you count picture books from childhood. I tend to roll my eyes a bit at anything too heartwarming.
So what happened...did my heart grow three sizes today?
Nope, the blogs happened. Last year I read so many wonderful review of Abby Gaines` books that on a lark I added her Superromance, Married By Mistake to my next Harlequin order. It was as fabulous as everyone had said, and Abby herself stopped by my blog (my first author driveby--so exciting!). She told me about her upcoming NASCAR books...so skeptically, I tried Back on Track, and...loved it. So here I am, reading a NASCAR Christmas romance anthology. Funny how things work out.
The point of this rambling is this: I have many more stories like this one from last year`s 10,000 Book Challenge and I`m curious to see how many other people do, too.
Do you have a new favourite author because of the blogs? Have you picked up books you normally wouldn`t? What`s your favourite blog-inspired read from last year?
Favourites from 2007 Challenge
Amalthea, hoo boy, do I ever have some authors that I found solely through recommendations during last year's challenge.
I did do a New-to-me authors for 2007 listing on my blog last year, and while some were authors that I found on my own, there are definitely a number that came about directly through other bloggers. The latter are, in alphabetical order according to genre:
Paranormal
1. Lara Adrian
2. Keri Arthur
3. Patricia Briggs
4. Cindy Miles
5. Pamela Palmer
6. Nalini Singh
7. Rachel Vincent
Contemporary Romance
1. Susan Donovan
2. Abby Gaines
3. Fay Robinson
Erotic Romance
1. Megan Hart
Thriller
1. Jason Pinter
Romantic Suspense
1. Julie Miller
Historical Romance
1. Elizabeth Rolls
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kalyko ~ Reading: One of life's little joys and a much needed reward!
New to Me
New to me authors that I've enjoyed from recommendations here would be: Pamela Palmer, Lori Devoti, Liz Fielding, Rachel Vincent, Chris Jordan, Harlan Coben, Stephanie Tyler, Lor Borrill, and Tessa Radley. Of course I've already added a few favorites that I heard of last year and read this year. I'm sure there are some I've forgotten those were just off the top of my head.
The D2K Paranormal Junkies ~ 2008 Book Challenge Blog
NASCAR
I don't just not like NASCAR but truthfully I HATE it. Thanks to your blogs last year, I bought several and I am fairly sure I wil lenjoy them.
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus
Ha!
Hey Lady_Amalthea....
I'll keep this short and sweet(unlike my TBR pile), I bought 3 times the amount of books I normally buy last year, and at least half of those are new to me authors.
The only thing is, I didn't gain 3 times as much time to read
Take Care,
Tammy
P.S. I love Abby Gaines as well!!
"I would be the most content if my children grew up to be the kind of people who think decorating consists mostly of building enough bookshelves"...Anna Quindlen
Drat!
How could I forget about Tessa Radley?? Man, I must have skipped over her name on my list.
And Tammy, you're the one that got me started reading Abby Gaines, Tessa Radley and Megan Hart ~ at the very least!
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kalyko ~ Reading: One of life's little joys and a much needed reward!
re: influence of the blogs
Deb & Kalyko: Great lists! A bunch of your authors on there are on my "new to me" list from last year (Pamela Palmer, Rachel Vincent, Abby Gaines), a few are already purchased (Patricia Briggs, Julie Miller) and a bunch more I definitely need to try...
Tammy: Wow, 3 times! That's pretty fantastic..well, except for the not having 3x as much time to read...I actually have less time to read, at least for the next four months. Argh! so I feel your pain. So many great books, so little time.
Paisley: I hope you enjoy the NASCAR books! I just blogged about the Christmas anthology...really enjoyed it. Which ones did you buy?
Everyone's comments have convinced me of one thing: I seriously need to read Megan Hart and Tessa Radley this year!
Nocturnes
Since half the books I read last year were written by new-to-me authors, I'll just mention the two that come to mind first: Unbound by Lori Devoti and The Dark Gate by Pamela Palmer. Don't remember who's review of Lori's book finally convinced me to pick it up (thank you, whoever you are!), but I'm pretty sure it was your (Lady A) review of Pamela's book that influence me.
And your influence doesn't end there. Based on reviews from last year, I've added Bitten by Kelley Armstrong, Kitty and The Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn, and Good Liar by Laura Caldwell to my TBR pile.
Christina
“When a cat loves you, he’ll leave dead mice on your porch, because you’re a lousy hunter and he wants to take care of you.”
- Aunt B to Kate, (Magic Burns by Ilona Andrews)
Abey Gaines
I bought an Abbey Gaines Nascar one plus her Superromance because of your blogs. I got several other NASCAR ones including the Christmas one with subscriptions etc. Normally I would have gotten rid of them without reading them until I came across your Abbey Gaines blog.
AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus
Speaking of influence and drive-by's
If it weren't for last years blogs I doubt I would have ever read any paranormals. JR Ward's Brotherhood was introduced to me and now I am a convert. How much I would have missed. I get antsy just thinking of the releases I am waiting on this year to continue with so many series.
Lady A - I love the author drive-by term! That's killer.
I was especially touched by one author, who sent me an email after reading about something personal that I had posted about my family last year. It was very kind of her and it's something that I will remember for a very long time.
I love author drive-bys
but don't forget authors are people too and they get just as thrilled with all the recommendations and nice blogs
it's heartwarming in both directions
As for authors I discovered through the Challenge, I don't think there's enough space in the comments section
but I discovered a lot of eharl authors simply through the forums, quite apart from the Challenge
Hugs
Sadhbh
May's Member of the Month
Dream Team 2008 Challenge blogs
New TBRs
I see some author names here I'll have to try!!
I didn't do last year's challenge (didn't know about it until late, late last year), but I have read/bought books by authors I've seen around the various forums. Or that were recommended by other readers.
Who ever mentioned Kelley Armstrong...you might like the paranormals by Donna Boyd (aka Donna Ball).
Recommendation...
That's really good to know Dawn... thank you!
I, for one, have benefitted mightily from recommendations ~ my TBR has too! My dh.. not so much.
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kalyko ~ Reading: One of life's little joys and a much needed reward!
"My dh.. not so much"
well as Joe E Brown said to Jack Lemmon at the end of one of my favourite films
"Nobody's perfect!"
May's Member of the Month
Dream Team 2008 Challenge blogs
You're right!
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kalyko ~ Reading: One of life's little joys and a much needed reward!
Yup!
I heard about Rachel Caine from a few different bloggers last year - including you, if I remember correctly. I haven't read her yet, but she's on my TBR pile!
-Angela
Check out what the Internet Team is reading!
discovering new authors
Hi Amalthea, glad you discovered so many writers (including me!) on the blogs last year. I bought books by several new writers as a result of reading the blogs - but I haven't finished reading them all :)
Abby
The Diaper Diaries - Harlequin Superromance March 08
Fully Engaged - Harlequin NASCAR March 08
www.abbygaines.com
This is one of the greatest
This is one of the greatest things about the challenge, all the new books I found. Wayne clued me into Gemma Halliday's new mystery/chick-lit series, I don't know who convinced me to try Rogue by Rachel Vincent and so many other books. I can't wait to see who new I read this year.
Cady
TBR--The Born Readers
New Authors
These blogs have made my not so small TBR mountain in a HUGE TBR mountain. Thanks everyone.
New authors to me from last year are: J. R. Ward, Rachel Vincent, Stephanie Rowe (thanks Kathy D), Lori Borrill, Kelly St. John, Julia Quinn, Megan Hart, & Robin Schone. These are only the ones I can remember off the top of my head. Most were recommendations from all the wonderful bloggers on this site.
I already have a new author I'm going to try because of the review by Canadian Friend. "Close Encounters of the Sexy Kind" & "Cosmic Sex" by Karen Kelly. Both these books sound HOT & FUNNY.
Kathy
I, too
I, too picked up several books after I'd read rave reviews by other bloggers!!
Kate
TBR--The Born Readers
I can't count all the new
I can't count all the new books/authors I've picked up since starting the blogs two years ago. In fact, I've picked up a lot of new YA books thanks to your blog! And I still have a list of ones to buy in the future!
re: influence of the blogs
I'm thrilled some of you guys have been picking up books because of my blog postings...so much fun to share new authors with others...or maybe I just want payback for all of the $$$ I've spent on books thanks to your blogs!
So many great authors in your lists that I still have to check out!
(Sorry for the slow reply...been craaaazy busy this week, barely even got online to check the blogs at all!)
Belated "your welcome
Belated "your welcome Kathy!"
I love it when my praise spurs another reader to try one of my author favorites. Very exciting, especially when they come to love the authors writing as well.
Kathy D
RE: THE INFLUENCE OF THE BLOGS
Imagine meself attempting to figure it out. Romance novels? A guy? That plays hockey and taught his son's to wrestle (me oldest wrestles in college). An Original Iraq War Marine? Can you imagine what it feels like when, a couple times, this mate's eyes have gotten "moist" while he read? I don't have the faintest interest in another bloke *that way*, but I can't understand why blogging here, or reading the books is considered girly stuff.
"I went to a FIGHT the other night...and a HOCKEY GAME broke out!! "
HockeyDET@comcast.net
LOL Marty
I actually have a great DH, he watches weepy movies with me and then
we smile indulgently at each other when we both reach for the tissues
at the same time
Nothing
at all wrong from a female pov with a man being in touch with his
emotions - some of us prefer that to the Neanderthal grunts and lack of
communication
There's
nothing wrong with a man knowing how to defend himself, and I think a
lot of us appreciate the armed forces who defend our liberty and make
the place safe for us to live and read and go shopping and do the
normal everyday things
I know I'm glad that they're the ones learning about guns and strategy and using both, so that I don't have to
But
we can love military men for several reasons, and being in touch with
their "softer" emotions would be very high on the list (the best of
both worlds)
There's also the point that if so many women read
these books, reading them might teach men a little about how we'd like
to be romanced
May's Member of the Month
Dream Team 2008 Challenge blogs
RE: INFLUENCE OF THE BLOGS
Thank you, Sadhbh! I sure do appreciate your comments to me.
"I went to a FIGHT the other night...and a HOCKEY GAME broke out!! "
HockeyDET@comcast.net